7 Best Budget Massage Gun 2023: Cheap But Good

Are those stubborn knots in your muscles causing you endless discomfort?

You’ve probably heard about high-end massage guns like the Hyprice ($199) model, but do you need to break the bank to find relief?

As a chiropractor, I’ve seen many patients who believe that investing in an expensive massage gun is the only way to address those annoying knots.

But the truth is, you don’t have to drain your wallet for a solution.

I use a $50 massage gun at home and Hypervolt at work, but I don’t notice a significant difference in relieving muscle knots.

In this post, we’ll dig deeper into the common problem of muscle tension and discomfort and how it affects your daily life.

We’ll explore the myths around high-priced massage guns and the real solutions available.

With our guide to the 7 best budget massage guns for 2023, we’ll help you find an affordable and effective way to say goodbye to muscle soreness and knots.

What Is the Best Budget Massage Gun?

7 Best Budget Massage Gun

• Best Overall Budget Massage Gun: VYBE V2 Percussion Massage Gun
• Best Runner-Up: Cholas Massage Gun
• Best Massage Gun for Flight: RAPIDSTRIKE massage gun
• Best Affordable Massage Gun: Chirogun Premium Massage Gun
• Best Mini Massage Gun for Travel: Hypervolt Go 2
• Best Lightweight Mini Massage Gun: Ekrin Athletics BANTAM
• Best Budget Massage Gun on Amazon: TOLOCO Massage Gun

1. Best Overall Budget Massage Gun: VYBE V2 Percussion Massage Gun

Overview

Vybe V2 is one of our favorites for its price. Unlike other massage guns that feel weak at taking care of knots, Vybe V2 is as strong as a power tool for massage.

It comes with 6 speeds, with an adjustable arm for tough angles. The percussive force is 60lb with a 16mm range, and it may be loud at top speeds.

Pricing

$51.99 at amazon

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a strong massage gun for less than $60, Vybe V2 is packed with everything for your needs.

Not only is strong with 60 lb percussive force at a 16mm range, but it comes with a replaceable battery for damage battery.

Although it may be too loud for some, this massage gun is the cheapest and has everything you need.

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2. Best Runner-Up: Cholas Massage Gun

Overview

Cholas is one of the cheapest massage guns on our list, priced just below $40.

Unlike expensive branded massage guns, the Cholas massage gun offers a wide range of 30 speeds that are divided into 4 categories. These categories include speed 1-8 for weak muscles, 8-15 for releasing fascia, 16-20 for deep massage, and 20-30 for professional mode.

Furthermore, it comes with 6 attachment heads to choose from and provides 6 hours of battery life to help you get rid of stubborn knots and sore muscles.

Although the product manual does not provide information about the percussive per minute and stall force, the Cholas massage gun is still worth every dollar, considering its price.

Pricing

$32.99 from Amazon

Bottom Line

If you are in search of a budget-friendly massage gun that costs under $50, then the Cholas massage gun is a perfect choice to fulfill your needs.

It offers 30-speed options and 6 different attachments to effectively eliminate stubborn knots and soreness. With this massage gun, you can enjoy a relaxing massage without breaking the bank.

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3. Best Massage Gun for Flight: RAPIDSTRIKE massage gun

Overview

Rapidstrike is one of our favorite mini massage guns for travel.

Rapidstrike stands apart from other mini massage guns due to its long battery life of 8 hours.

This means that you don’t have to worry about charging it while you’re on the go.

Although it may not be the lightest mini massage gun available, it’s heavier due to its bigger and better storage.

It comes with standard 4 head attachments and a charging cable.

Pricing

$79.99

Bottom Line

If you travel frequently and are in search of a massage gun that costs less than $100, the Rapidstrike is an ideal option for you.

Unlike costly mini massage guns, which can cost over $150, the Rapidstrike offers everything you need at almost half the price.

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4. Best Affordable Massage Gun: Chirogun Premium Massage Gun

Overview

Chirogun offers 30 different speeds and a powerful 3,200 PPM to help you effectively treat various types of muscle soreness. With such a wide range of speeds, you can easily find the right setting to soothe your aches and pains.

For those who appreciate versatility, Chirogun provides 15 attachments to choose from, including some unique shapes like the thumb, pitchfork, and scraper that you won’t find with other massage guns.

While having several attachments to choose from can be beneficial, my personal favorites are the round and flat heads.

I find that the bullets, pitchforks, and scrapers are not as comfortable at high speeds.

Pricing

$89.99 at amazon

Bottom Line

The Chirogun massage gun is priced at $89.99 and comes with 15 head attachments, making it a great deal. Additionally, you can choose from 30 speeds to provide pain relief to your muscles.

However, the massage gun is quite heavy, which can strain your hand if you use it for extended periods. If you limit your use to 10-15 minutes, though, this won’t be an issue.

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5. Best Mini Massage Gun for Travel: Hypervolt Go 2

Highlights

• 3 speeds
• Weight 1.5 lbs
• TSA approved for carry-on
• 2 head attachments (flat & bullet)
• 3 hours of battery life

Overview

I highly recommend the Hypervolt massage gun. As someone who owns two of them, I can say that the quality of the product is exceptional.

The Hypervolt Go 2 is a more affordable option that is convenient to carry in your workout bag or luggage while traveling.

Many of my patients have complained about their massage gun being too heavy and bulky to take with them on the go, but this mini massage gun solves that problem. It has 3 speeds, weighs only 1.5 lbs, and has a sleek design.

Pricing

$129

Bottom Line

If you are a frequent traveler or someone who prefers using a massage gun before or after a workout, then the hypervolt Go 2 is an excellent choice for you.

The regular massage guns available in the market usually weigh between 3 to 5 pounds, which can be inconvenient to carry around.

However, the hypervolt Go 2 is lightweight and portable, making it easy to take with you on the go.

The only downside of this device is its limited battery life of 3 hours and only 2 massage attachments. But, this issue can be easily resolved by carrying a charging cable with you.

In summary, if you are looking for a lightweight, portable massage gun that is easy to carry around, the hypervolt Go 2 is the best option for you.

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6. Best Lightweight Mini Massage Gun: Ekrin Athletics BANTAM

Overview

Ekrin Athletics Bantam is by far one of the best budget massage guns in the market.

Don’t let the size and weight fool you because the 1.1 lbs is packed with 35 lb of stall force and up to 3200 rpm.

You can easily fit this massage gun in any gym bag without noticing.

I like to bring this massage gun with me for pre-workout to lose my muscles before my HIIT workout.

Pricing

$149.99

Bottom Line

Ekrin Athletics Bantam is a bit expensive at $149.99 from our list of budget massage guns, but if you want a massage gun you can easily fit in your gym bag, give this bad boy a try.

It is a strong mini massage gun with many positive reviews.

But if you’re looking for a heavier massage gun, this may not fit your needs.

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7. Best Budget Massage Gun on Amazon: TOLOCO Massage Gun

Overview

Unlike other cheap massage guns, TOLOCO is the real deal at a fraction of the expensive massage gun. It is packed with a 7-speed with 3200 rpm, a quiet motor without disturbing your surroundings, and a smart LED touch screen with easy maneuvering.

You will be amazed by how light it feels in your hand. Your hand won’t tire even after extended use.

Pricing

$39.99 (always on sale on amazon)

Bottom Line

If you’re tired of low-quality massage guns on the market that don’t meet your standards, TOLOCO may change your mind.

For under $40, you can choose from 7 speeds and 10 attachments with a smart LED display for easy use.

Cheap vs. Expensive Massage Gun – Which one is better?

Are cheap massage guns bad?

Not necessary. Based on my professional experience, I don’t believe cheap massage guns are necessarily bad for you.

Whether it is $50 or $250, Massage guns are designed to alleviate muscle tension and speed up post-workout recovery.

I am amazed by my $50 massage gun. It’s been my go-to for at-home massages for the past three years and it still works just as well as it did on day one.

If you’re considering purchasing a massage gun, it’s important to evaluate its amplitude, percussion speed, and stall force to determine whether it’s a worthwhile investment.

Amplitude

The amplitude of a massage gun refers to the size of the percussion stroke.

It is determined by the distance the attachment head travels in each vibration.

Massage guns with higher amplitude penetrate deeper into muscle tissue, allowing for more effective treatment of deeper muscle groups.

The average massage gun has an amplitude between 10-12mm, while more powerful models may reach 16mm.

I recommend looking for massage guns with at least 12mm of amplitude. Anything below 10mm won’t provide enough force to penetrate deep into sore muscles.

Percussions Speed

Percussion speed, measured in percussions per minute (PPM), indicates how rapidly the massage head moves. This impacts the intensity of the massage.

Most budget massage guns offer speeds between 2000 to 3200 PPM.

Higher PPM delivers a more vigorous massage experience.

I recommend looking for options with at least 2400 PPM for deep muscle treatment. 3000+ PPM works well to increase blood flow and warm up muscles before a workout.

However, speeds above 3200 PPM may feel too intense for some users.

Stall Force

Stall force indicates how much pressure the massage gun can apply when pressed against the body. It’s measured in pounds (lb) of force.

Look for a stall force of at least 30 lb if you want a budget massage gun that provides sufficient pressure. Stall forces between 35-60 lb give a forceful massage comparable to costly high-end models.

I don’t recommend getting a massage gun under 20 lb stall force unless it’s for gentle relaxation.

Battery life

When purchasing a new massage gun, it’s important to consider the battery life in addition to the three factors mentioned earlier.

You want to ensure that the battery can last through your usage, so you don’t end up with a low-quality massage gun that stops working frequently and requires frequent resetting.

How We Selected Our Best Budget Massage Guns

Benefits of Massage Guns

Using a massage gun offers many benefits for muscle recovery, performance, and overall wellness.

The rapid percussion loosens tight muscles, breaks up knots, increases blood flow, and reduces muscle soreness.

This leads to improved range of motion, flexibility, and quicker recovery after workouts or injuries.

Other benefits of regular massage gun use include:

• Reduced lactic acid buildup
• Enhanced workout performance
• Decreased risk of injury
• Better posture
• Alleviate stress and tension for better sleep

While massage guns are not a replacement for professional medical treatment, they offer an affordable way to enjoy frequent percussion massage therapy at home between visits to your physiotherapist or massage therapist.

I always recommend that my patients use their massage gun consistently, ideally 3-4 times per week. Using it only once a week or once a month is not as effective.

Conclusion

Unlike most expensive massage guns, these affordable massage guns can help reduce muscle soreness and improve your muscle recovery stage.

For those looking for the best massage gun under $50, the Vybe V2 offers high stall force and amplitude, making it a great budget option.

For travel, the Hypervolt Go 2 and the Ekrin Bantam are both lightweight and effective massage guns.

Remember, you don’t need to empty your wallet for an expensive model.

Take the step to invest in your muscle health with these budget-friendly massage guns; your body will thank you.

FAQ

How much should a good massage gun cost?

Depending on your budget, for a reliable massage gun, invest in a Hypervolt or other high-priced option.

If you’re on a budget, any massage gun that meets the amplitude, stall force, and percussion speed criteria is a good choice.

Are massage guns worth the investment?

Yes, think of a massage gun as your personal massage assistant. You can actively treat the sore area to increase blood flow, improve circulation, and improve muscle recovery.

Most muscle spasms and injuries result from overused muscles due to activity without proper treatment.

Don’t let muscle soreness hold you back. Combat it with a massage gun at home and stay on top of your game.

Can You use a massage gun when you’re pregnant?

Before using a massage gun during pregnancy, it is essential to consult with your healthcare provider first.

Although it can be beneficial in relieving aches and tightness, your healthcare provider can advise you on whether it is safe for you and your baby.